If I told myself the Mets would win three of the first four games of the season, I would be ecstatic.
However, because of the way the Mets lost yesterday (leaving several runners on base, multiple defensive miscues in the bottom of the 8th, etc.) I feel fairly bummed. That being said, it was a good opening weekend for Mets baseball and there were a lot of positives for the Mets to build on.
Tonight the Mets head into Philly for the second series of the year. Philadelphia had a busy off-season keeping up with the Braves in Mets including signing former Mets Jeurys Familia and Brad Hand. Their lineup is now designed for their ballpark they play in – power over defense. In general, there’s a lot of hype around the Phillies.
Taijuan Walker makes the start for the Mets tonight. Overall last season he pitched in 30 games, 29 starts, totaling 159 innings with a 4.47 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 1.182 WHIP and a 90 ERA+. Last year was a tale of two seasons for Walker. Before the All-Star break, he pitched 94 2/3 innings with a 2.66 ERA and 1.056 WHIP. After the break he pitched 64 1/3 innings with a 7.13 ERA and a 1.368 WHIP. The big change was the home run. Prior to the break he only gave up six but after the break he gave of 20 homers in considerably less innings.
Walker faced the Phillies five times last season, totaling 26.1 innings and posting a 3.76 ERA. He faired worse at Citizens Bank Park where he allowed seven runs over 12 innings. The Phillies have the following numbers against him:
- Didi Gregorius 4-16, 2B, 2 K
- Bryce Harper 3-14, 2B, HR, BB, 2 K
- Alec Bohm 4-10, 2B, HR, 2 BB, K
- Kyle Schwarber 5-10, 5 HR, BB, K
- Jean Segura 3-10, HR, K
- J.T. Realmuto 3-8, HR, 2 K
- Odubel Herrera 0-8, K
- Rhys Hoskins 1-7, 4 K
- Nick Castellanos 2-6, HR, 2 K
The Mets bats will get their first 2022 look at Ranger Suarez. Last season he split time as a reliever and a starter. Overall he pitched in 39 games, starting 12, pitching 106 innings with a 1.36 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 1.000 WHIP and a 308 ERA+. As a starter he pitched 65 2/3 innings with a 1.51 ERA and 1.081 WHIP. He pitched against the Mets three times last season, including a start, totaling to 4 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs, 1 earned from 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 7. The Mets have the following numbers against him:
- Brandon Nimmo 2-6, 2 BB, K
- Pete Alonso 0-3, 2 BB, K
- Starling Marte 1-5, BB, K
- Dominic Smith 1-4, K
- Eduardo Escobar 2-3, 2B, HR
- Jeff McNeil 0-2, K
- Francisco Lindor 0-1
Let’s Go Mets!
